Homey and Yet Tony

Oakland's Rockridge neighborhood manages to be both homey and yet
tony. Among charming cottages and bungalows and well-used sidewalks,
you'll find exclusive dress shops, high-end restaurants, and eclectic
retailers. There are far too many shops and restaurants worth visiting
to mention here; you could spend a good couple of days exploring all
that this picturesque neighborhood has to offer. You'll find the
perpetually crowded pizza joint Zachary's, the well-appointed Rockridge
Home, and super pet store Redhound, plus a public library, salons,
corner markets, plenty of cafes, grocery stores, and a host of other
services.

Oakland's best restaurant, Oliveto Restaurant (5655 College
Ave., Oakland, 510-547-5356, Oliveto.com) is located in Rockridge, and
executive chef Paul Canales does wonders at the helm with
Italian-inspired antipasti, salads, soups, pastas, and sauces that
incorporate local and seasonal ingredients. Equally adept at the grill
and rotisserie, he's a big fan of special themed dinners. The upstairs
restaurant is for formal dining, while the downstairs cafe —
equipped with outdoor seating for people-watching — offers an
informal alternative.

If only all bookstores could be like Diesel, A Bookstore
(5433 College Ave., Oakland, 510-653-9965, Diesel.booksense.com). This
independent bookseller feels more like a community resource because of
its frequent author readings and book signings. Staffers actually seem
take pleasure in hooking customers up with books. If a work isn't on
the shelves, Diesel will order it — don't be afraid to ask.

When it comes to working out the kinks, Namaste Yoga in
Rockridge (5416 College Ave., Oakland, 510-547-9642, NamasteRockridge.com) can do
wonders. Quality instructors teach more than thirty classes seven days
a week in a stylish and appealing studio ripe for honoring the divine
within. Styles range from Hatha and Iyengar to Pilates and Vinyasa.
Find extra bliss in the Namaste boutique.

McNally's Irish Pub (5352 College Ave., Oakland,
510-654-9463) is the perfect bar for just hanging out. You'll feel like
a local practically as soon as you step in the door. It's dark and
divey, and has a bumper pool table, TVs tuned to sports, and a jukebox.
It's got plenty of cold ones on tap, premium spirits on the shelf, and
an Irish coffee that rivals SF's famed Buena Vista.

Two words: morning buns. And La Farine (6323 College Ave.,
Oakland, 510-654-0338, LaFarine.com)
supposedly invented them. Their sticky, finger-licking croissant dough
dusted with brown sugar and cinnamon has been an institutional
tradition since the French bakery opened in 1974. The charming shop
also fashions splendid tarts, cakes, cookies, éclairs, and
baguettes that look as good as they taste.

Sure, there are plenty of women's clothing shops along College
Avenue, but if you've only got time for one, make it Atomic
Garden (5453 College Ave., Oakland, 510-923-0543, AtomicGardenOakland.com). This
truly unique boutique stocks a small but exquisite selection of casual
clothes, accessories, and home goods all made from organic, recycled,
or sustainable materials.

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